Trojans outlast Dyer County in District 13-3A tilt

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

Trailing by one at the half, the Trojans got off to a strong start in the third quarter but had to battle Dyer County almost point-for-point the rest of the way before taking a 63-60 win over the Choctaws on Tuesday night in the Terry Glover Gymnasium.

“You’re talking about two teams where the kids know one another,” Dyersburg Head Coach Blaine Mahaffey said. “It’s a game that is very close in proximity so the kids in the community love it and you wouldn’t expect anything less than a close competitive game.”

Dyer County Head Coach Derek McCord pointed out Tuesday night was the first time the team has been completely healthy.

“Now we’ve got everybody healthy,” McCord pointed out. “We’ve had a lot of adversity this year, a lot of injuries.

“We’ve had back injuries, hip injuries, ankle injuries. That’s the first time we’ve had everybody healthy so I think there’s nowhere to go but up for us. I am proud off our guys’ effort.”

Dyersburg trailed 32-31 at the half but a pair of layups and a three-pointer from Jace Ward gave the Trojans a seven-point lead with 5:47 left in the third quarter.

“We’ve got a few good that’s got to be good most every night,” Mahaffey explained. “Jace is a big piece for us and he just keeps improving for us. Happy for him.”

Dyer County answered, capping a quick run with a Jamin Gauldin bucket to tie the game at 38-38. But, Dyersburg post player Breyden Turnage stepped back beyond the arch and sank a three-pointer to put the Trojans back on top.

“He’s a gamer and he’s probably the most experienced kid that we have on the floor,” the Trojan head coach said. “He does what we need to have done. What’s necessary for us, he gets it done.

“He’s a really good senior player and is making plays when his team needs it.”

“Tip your cap to Turnage – he hit some big threes to beat us,” McCord pointed out. “He hit some tough shots.”

The Choctaws did not go away, though, getting a big three-pointer from Gauldin and a bucket by Triston Seabourn to tie the game at 43-43. Late in the quarter with the game tied at 45, Turnage hit a second trey to give the Trojans a 48-45 lead heading into the final frame.

An early bucket by Turnage kept Dyersburg ahead and the Trojans were able to stay one bucket ahead through the frame. Though the Choctaws battled to stay in it – even rallying late from a 58-52 deficit to cut the Dyersburg lead to two late – Dyersburg hit four of six free throws to help seal the three-point win.

McCord added he felt his team had a lapse in the fourth quarter, giving up some offensive rebounds.

“We’ve got to go back and look at that,” McCord explained. “We’ve got to tag guys and we didn’t. Three trips in a row we gave up an offensive rebound. One of those led to a three.

“And, we’ve got to do a better job of getting to the free throw line.”

Turnage paced Dyersburg with 22 while Ward had 21. A.J. Higgins scored 13 in the win.

Gauldin led all scorers with 35 points in the loss. Seabourn added 10.

“Best player on the floor tonight,” McCord said of Gauldin. “He’s got the heart of our a warrior.

“Our guys battled. They’ve had a lot of adversity but I love this team and I love their heart. They play hard. Hat’s off to Dyersburg – they were the better team tonight. But, we’ll get another shot at them at our place.”

The Trojans travel to South Gibson on Friday night while Dyer County makes the short drive up to Troy to take on Obion County Central.

“You’ve got to hold serve at the house,” Mahaffey said of District 13-3A. “That’s everybody’s goal. Then, you’ve got to figure out a way to win a couple on the road.”